SAWA is highlighting some of the 180 journalists or storytellers around the world that help locate and report on the local heroes in the 50 poorest countries. After surviving the bloody civil war in Sierra Leone, which lasted from 1991 to 2002 leaving 50,000 people dead, and escaping, on 5 separate occasions, from the clutches of rebel army groups recruiting child soldiers, twenty two year old Peter A. Bangura formed The Trauma Healing Centre for youth in 2003, a local NGO providing a sense of community and support for children and adolescents traumatized by war.
Through various community building and peace promoting projects (involving workshops, drama, singing, dancing, and sports), The Trauma Healing Centre advocates for the rights of the youths meanwhile instilling within them a set of values, attitudes and behaviors that promote peace, solidarity, tolerance, and respect for life. Youth are educated about HIV/AIDS to end the stigmatization of those living with the disease, trained in non-violent conflict resolution, and given the opportunity to engage in self-esteem developing workshops and activities (like recording an album of music promoting peace). At The Trauma Centre in Sierra Leone, youth are given the opportunity to heal and develop their own integrity to refuse the use of violence in all its forms and stand by the principles of democracy, freedom, justice and co-operation
Peter A. Bangura is currently working on a documentary about the eleven year civil war, which he witnessed first-hand. His courage, perseverance and hope are here to inspire and lead us into a future of peace. The Trauma Healing Centre needs your help in providing resources and fund raising strategies for their various projects. To help, or learn more, please e-mail Peter Bangura at: bangurapetera@yahoo.com
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